by: Mona Marple
Series: Yorkshire Coast Cozy Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: April 30, 2025
After ten years away, Ryan Kennedy never planned on returning to Flamborough—the tiny Yorkshire village he once called home. But when his fiercely independent gran, Iris, needs him, he finds himself back behind the counter at her chaotic seaside bookshop, wrestling with jammed tills, nosy villagers, and the memories he’s spent years trying to forget.
What Ryan doesn’t expect is to be swept straight into the heart of a murder investigation.
When a mysterious boat appears on the beach and a body turns up at the exclusive Whale Watch Weekend picnic, all eyes turn to the cliffs—and to the secrets the village has been keeping. As Ryan and Iris dig into the tangled history of the victim, long-buried truths begin to surface, not just about the case… but about the night Ryan’s own husband died.
With the tide cutting them off, a killer on the loose, and a very observant dog named Bracken by their side, Ryan and Iris must work fast—because in Flamborough, the past doesn’t stay buried, and the sea has a habit of washing everything to shore.
For fans of twisty village whodunits, seaside charm, and heartfelt mysteries with a slow-burning emotional pull, A Whale of a Crime is the unforgettable first instalment in a brand-new series.
I’m doing good, thanks. I’m a little nervous to be here. I’m not used to being in the spotlight.
Don’t be nervous. I’ll try to make this as painless as possible. I’m an introvert, so I understand. Please introduce yourself to readers.
Sure, okay. I’m Ryan Kennedy, most people know me because I am the widower of Jason Pitt-Kennedy, who was the lead singer in the boy band Siren Call. I met him because he was a client of mine; I’m a professional dog walker. Jason sadly died a decade ago. Everyone said it was a suicide, but I’ve never believed that.
I’m really sorry to hear that. You are Mona Marple’s latest protagonist, in her new series called Yorkshire Coast. Can you please tell us about some people we’ll meet in your story?
Yes, you should be warned about meeting my family. I’m surrounded by women, even my pet dog Bracken is female. She’s honestly my best friend and I adore her.
Then there’s my sister Harlow. She’s great. We used to be really close. Angie is my mum, and she takes care of the whole village. I guess the head of our family is my gran, Iris. She owns Beachside Books, and she’s pretty feisty. She’s a lot of fun, and she’d do anything for us. She seems to attract trouble, though!
Gran sounds pretty interesting. Tell me about Flamborough.
I left Flamborough for the big city of London years ago, and I never thought I’d come back. I thought Flamborough was too quiet.
It’s a typical Yorkshire fishing village where everyone knows each other and their gossip. Growing up, I couldn’t fetch my football from someone’s garden without someone feeding it back to my mum.
Now I’m back, I’m remembering why this place is so special. People are kind here, and they’ll take the time to help each other out. Not to mention how beautiful the clifftop views are.
Tell me about a defining moment in your life.
It would be when Jason suggested we get a drink together. I had no interest in getting wrapped up with a celebrity. I hate attention, and I didn’t want photos of us in the newspapers or anything. I said no several times, and I think that impressed him. He was used to people using him for his fame. Eventually, he asked again, and I thought, ah, why not? And the rest, as they say, is history.
I like that story. What’s your most prized possession?
My memories. I’ve learned in my life that possessions don’t matter, experiences do.
Oh. I LOVE that! I’m going to have to remember that quote. Why do you feel the need to put on your sleuthing hat and investigate murders?
It’s more that my gran is determined to wade into the trouble, and I couldn’t let her do it alone. I’ve been raised better than that. So I’m kind of dragged along with her!
I had a feeling you were going to say because of your gran. What can readers expect from A Whale of a Crime?
It’s the story of my return home, or it would have been if a dead body hadn’t turned up on the beach.
Ryan, thank you so much for your time.
“Welcome home, little brother.”
“Because I very much doubt Vic decided to bash his own head in with a decorative whale.”
“You could dress a Flamborough lad in all the fancy clothes you liked, but the salt air would always find a way in.”
“They were trapped until morning. Six suspects, one murder weapon, and Iris’ grandson caught in the middle of it all.”
Purchase A Whale of a Crime from:
(Affiliate Links Used)
The Yorkshire Coast Cozy Mystery Series:
Murder at the Lighthouse (Book 2) releases April 22, 2026
Places to find Mona Marple:
You can follow the A Whale of a Crime Blog Tour here.
target="_blank" novalidate>
I enjoyed the interview and excerpt. Sounds good.
ReplyDelete